The world is going to ward anger and name calling. in fact it is celebrating anger.
"Emotions are actually more contagious than the flu." Dr. Daniel Goldman
Anger started way back with Cain and Abel.
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:8
"because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:20
Is anger always wrong? No.
“In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," Ephesians 4:26
Righteous anger vs. self-righteous anger:
256 bible verses on God's righteous anger (always dealing with sin, suffering or disobedience)
Human anger has stages
1. mild irritation
2. provoked frustration (these two stay in the thoughts -- they have to change in the thoughts)
3. Personal indignation -- comes out in speech
4. Uncontrolled rage -- action
People express anger in different ways -- none are good: gossip, sarcasm, cussing, stonewalling,
How do we stop ourselves before reacting badly?
"The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
We have to control what comes out of us.
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:8
20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:20
We bank our anger -- store it up. it festers there. DON"T DO THIS!!
Anger damages people. Relationships.
Jesus called it RACA -- lashing out in anger.
"An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins." Proverbs 29:22
"A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel." Proverbs 15:18
Take time to think before we react. What does your "idiot light" tell you?
Fear, fatigue, frustration, regret and shame; hurt. These all can cause angry outbursts. Give others grace. Why are they angry?
Own it -- If you are part of a conflict, you have a part in the conflict no matter how minor. Own that part you are part of -- take responsibility for it. We are called to be peacemakers.
The world is celebrating anger these days; victimhood; entitlement; it's all about victimood. Sometimes we have to choose to do right or to be right -- just because you are right doesn't mean you must demand people see you are right. Be silent about being right at times.
Our speech and actions should be intentional.
Jesus's anger -- he didn't take the bait ever. Jesus got angry because God's temple was being run over by thieves. They were hindering the people in their worship. They were making money on other people's need for worship.
"In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." John 2:14-15
This was righteous anger. He didn't hurt the people. He just got the junk out so the people could worship. He stayed and healed people afterwards.
SUMMARY:
If you do not control anger anger will control you.
Be in the world but not of it -- don't catch the world's anger.
Stop it before it becomes action.
Choose righteousness over being right. Be the peacemaker.
"Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverbs 29:11